Canada, Hungary latest additions to global plain packs map

France has now adopted plain packaging, to start in May 2016, as in Ireland and the UK. Plain packages are free of colours and all other branding, except for the manufacturers’ name written in a uniform plain style.

Canada and Hungary have announced that they plan to adopt the measure, which was pioneered in Australia in 2012. That move provoked a swift reaction from the tobacco industry. Ultimately, the industry lost a lawsuit in the country’s highest court but its challenge of this public health measure, using an international trade agreement, is pending.

Industry lawsuits

Big Tobacco has already announced challenges to the Irish and UK law and we can expect the same in France.

Following are other countries that have announced they intend to adopt plain packaging: